(Yicai Global) July 13 -- China connected its first 10-megawatt offshore wind turbine, the world’s second largest, to the national power distribution network last night.

The turbine at Xinghua Bay Wind Farm, which is located in waters off southeastern Fujian province,is also the biggest in the Asia Pacific region, broadcaster CCTV News reported. China’s offshore wind turbines generally have a capacity ranging from 5 mW to 6 mW.

The new turbine has a rotor diameter of 185 meters and sweeps an area the size of 3.7 football pitches. The distance between the rotor’s center and the sea is the equivalent of a 38-floor building.

At an average wind speed of 10 meters a second, a single device can generate 40 million-kilowatt hours of clean electricity a year, reducing coal use by 12,800 tons and carbon dioxide emissions by 33,500 tons.

State-owned power firm China Three Gorges joined hands with Dongfang Electric to complete the turbine’s research and development in September. It was designed with the seas off Fujian, Guangdong and other regions in mind to boost reliability and efficiency. The turbine also boasts anti-typhoon capabilities.

After the first unit completes trial operations, its developers will start mass production and promote them in Fujian, nationwide and overseas.

Editor: Peter Thomas